Wednesday, August 12
Chattanooga, Tenn.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Chattanooga
Skyhawks Begin Year Four Under Varga Wednesday at Chattanooga
8/11/2026 1:26:00 PM | Soccer
MARTIN, Tenn. – Year four under head coach Mike Varga begins Wednesday for the University of Tennessee at Martin soccer team when it travels to Chattanooga for the season opener at 6 p.m.
After arguably having the best defense in the league last season, UT Martin will use a mix of returners and fresh faces as it looks to once again field a strong back line and find an offensive rhythm.
"I really like the mix of experience and new additions to this year's group," said Varga. "We have high expectations for the season, but we must approach every match as an opportunity to grow and improve as a team. Training has been great, as has the attitude of the team and now it's time to put it all together and perform in a consistent manner. Our schedule has many challenges that will prepare us for our conference slate, starting with a difficult weekend on the road at Chattanooga and Chicago State. I have seen our returning players grow in confidence and we have some impactful new players that have fit right into our system as well."
On defense, the Skyhawks will replace the entire back line previously anchored by stalwarts Parker Gelinas and Shayla Addington. One of the new players they will turn to in the area is Allie Carroll, who comes to UT Martin after winning the NJCAA Division II National Championship last season. Other defensive players that saw plenty of action in the Skyhawks' two exhibition matches include freshmen Reece Windsor and Nasti Tanninen and sophomore Gi Verdi.
Returning between the posts for UT Martin is All-OVC goalkeeper Mac Titus. In 2025, Titus had one of the best seasons in program history for Skyhawk goalie by tying for the most shutouts in a season with seven, recording the best single-season save percentage in program history at 87.9 and allowing the second-fewest goals per game at 0.71.
Offensively, Peyton Cook will look to pick up where she left off from her All-OVC campaign last season when she led the team with 15 points with a team-best six goals and three assists. Overall, six of the 10 Skyhawks that scored goals last season are returning in 2026 including senior Ella Rucka, juniors Unni Wolf, Kylee Thompson and the 2025 OVC Freshman of the Year Ava Huntrods and sophomore Alex Weihs. Sophomore Addy McCleary will look to play a bigger role this season after she led UT Martin with four assists last season.
Following Wednesday's season opener at Chattanooga, the Skyhawks will travel to the Windy City Sunday to take on Chicago State at 5 p.m.
After arguably having the best defense in the league last season, UT Martin will use a mix of returners and fresh faces as it looks to once again field a strong back line and find an offensive rhythm.
"I really like the mix of experience and new additions to this year's group," said Varga. "We have high expectations for the season, but we must approach every match as an opportunity to grow and improve as a team. Training has been great, as has the attitude of the team and now it's time to put it all together and perform in a consistent manner. Our schedule has many challenges that will prepare us for our conference slate, starting with a difficult weekend on the road at Chattanooga and Chicago State. I have seen our returning players grow in confidence and we have some impactful new players that have fit right into our system as well."
On defense, the Skyhawks will replace the entire back line previously anchored by stalwarts Parker Gelinas and Shayla Addington. One of the new players they will turn to in the area is Allie Carroll, who comes to UT Martin after winning the NJCAA Division II National Championship last season. Other defensive players that saw plenty of action in the Skyhawks' two exhibition matches include freshmen Reece Windsor and Nasti Tanninen and sophomore Gi Verdi.
Returning between the posts for UT Martin is All-OVC goalkeeper Mac Titus. In 2025, Titus had one of the best seasons in program history for Skyhawk goalie by tying for the most shutouts in a season with seven, recording the best single-season save percentage in program history at 87.9 and allowing the second-fewest goals per game at 0.71.
Offensively, Peyton Cook will look to pick up where she left off from her All-OVC campaign last season when she led the team with 15 points with a team-best six goals and three assists. Overall, six of the 10 Skyhawks that scored goals last season are returning in 2026 including senior Ella Rucka, juniors Unni Wolf, Kylee Thompson and the 2025 OVC Freshman of the Year Ava Huntrods and sophomore Alex Weihs. Sophomore Addy McCleary will look to play a bigger role this season after she led UT Martin with four assists last season.
Following Wednesday's season opener at Chattanooga, the Skyhawks will travel to the Windy City Sunday to take on Chicago State at 5 p.m.
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